Three Weeks

Not sure if anyone is still out there reading - I know I've been pretty bad about blogging lately, but I think things are starting to settle down a little bit so I can catch up.

Three weeks ago today right about this time, we arrived home (yes... as in walked into our house). In some ways, it seems like only a few days ago. In other ways, it seems like it's been such a long time since we left Kyiv. There are definitely moments when I long for the moments in Ukraine. We were able to enjoy time together without all the day to day stressors that we have here at home. Work and finances were low on the radar screen. I didn't think about laundry or keeping the house clean.

But, it's also good to be home - to sleep in my comfortable bed in a house with central air, drive my own car, go shopping at places where I can read/understand the labels, see friends and family.  We (Mark, Maia, and I) are in our familiar environment again. Maia settled in to the old routine quickly. I'm grateful for that. Sometimes, I have to remind myself that things were challenging when we first brought her home, too. Well... I guess they still ARE challenging some days - lol!

Matthew is slowly adjusting. Although I can't tell what he's thinking, I see him struggling to make sense of all these changes in his life. It feels like he is bonding appropriately with us. He seems to need a lot more reassurance than Maia did, but I think that is to be expected given his history. He is curious about everything. We are working on establishing boundaries, but it is going to take some time. Matthew is loving being part of a family, though!

Yesterday, we drove up to my parent's place to check on the cattle, dog, etc. while they are away. When I told Matthew where we were going, he was so excited to be seeing "babushka and dadushka!" And when we got to their house, he ran all over looking for and yelling "Grandpa Jerry." He was pretty disappointed that they weren't home.

So bottom line, we're settling in. I can't speak for Mark, but now that we are home with Matthew, things feel complete to me. I was thrilled when we arrived home with Maia, but a piece was still missing. I can't explain it well, but I felt that way until Mark agreed that we needed to return to Ukraine for our son. It got better as we worked through the process to adopt Matthew. However, I didn't realize how much of a difference it would make until just a few days ago.

Ok... now that I am way off track from the title of today's post, I will just add a few pictures since we have been home.

What's better than a jack-in-the box? A Maia-in-the box!

 Meeting of the minds

 At Grandma Hansen's party

 Thanks for the gummy bears, Aunt Sandy!

 Matthew getting some love from Aunt Betsy

 Matthew and great-grandma Hansen (I just missed him giving her the sweetest kiss)

 Cuddle time with great-grandma

 Dreaming of driving my own race car one day!

 Life is pretty rough!